We’re making a letter C caterpillar craft to add more fun to our units on letters of the alphabet. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas. Too, grab the free template pattern at the bottom of this post. And look at my post Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping for more ideas.
This colorful, creative project combines early literacy skills with fine motor development.
The Letter C Caterpillar Craft fits beautifully into themes like: alphabet week, insects and bugs, springtime and of course use with the classic book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Plus pairing the craft with a story or a theme strengthens comprehension and keeps learning cohesive.
Also, cutting out shapes, gluing pieces together, and decorating the caterpillar all require careful hand-eye coordination.
Too, children will love learning that a caterpillar is a baby butterfly or moth.
BOOKS ABOUT INSECTS FOR KIDS
Next, here are some fun books about insects for kids.
11 Insect & Bug Books for Kids Who Love to Be Read To and Read
Add one or two of these books to your home library about insects. I love living books but love to add reference books to our day when I find them.
Describes briefly the short infancy of such common insects as the grasshopper, praying mantis, cicada, earwig, and twelve others.
This illustrated book for children asks the Have you ever seen a doodlebug? A dragon fly? A leafhopper? Find out all about bugs in this book.
Hailed by Darwin as "The Homer of Insects," famed French entomologist Jean Henri Fabre (1823–1915) devoted hours of rapt attention to insects while they hunted, built nests, and fed their families. Working in Provence, in barren, sun-scorched fields inhabited by countless wasps and bees, he observed their intricate and fascinating world, recounting their activities in simple, beautifully written essays.This volume, based on translations of Fabre's Souvenirs Entomologiques, blends folklore and mythology with factual explanation. Fabre's absorbing account of the scarab beetle's existence, for example, begins with the ancient Egyptians' symbolic view of this busy creature, eventually leading to a careful discussion of its characteristic method of rolling a carefully sculpted ball of food to its den. Elsewhere, he discusses with infectious enthusiasm the physiologic secrets behind the luminosity of fireflies, the musical talents of the locust, the comfortable home of the field cricket, and the cannibalism of the pious-looking praying mantis, among other topics.These charmingly related stories of insect life are a rare combination of scientific study and literary classic that will delight entomologists, naturalists, and nature lovers alike.
Henri Fabre (1823-1915) was a famous explorer yet he seldom left his own backyard. He spent his whole life discovering the secrets of the insect world. His home and its surroundings served as his laboratory, and his lab assistants were his wife and children. The entire family shared his passion for insects, especially his youngest son, Paul. Follow Paul as he assists his famous father uncover the secrets of his "children of summer"-insects. You'll meet the undertaker beetle that buries dead animals; the acorn elephant beetle, whose snout is so long that it must hold it straight out to keep from tripping over it; caterpillars that spin tents and roadways of silk; red ants that kidnap black ant babies and raise them as slaves; dancing scorpions; dung beetles that get their nourishment from animal droppings; male peacock moths that pay homage to their princess but don't eat a single meal as adults; and many other unusual creatures. On the way, you'll get to know a fascinating scientist widely regarded as the father of modern entomology. Through texts drawn from the beautiful written records that Fabre kept of everything he did and saw, and exquisite illustrations done in close, scientific detail, this enchanting book reaches far beyond the boundaries of its subject to engage even those who didn't know they were interested in bugs.
Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky brings out the beauty—and the “wow!” and the “yuck!” factors—of hundreds of insects and spiders. Eight spectacular gatefolds show moths and mosquitoes, butterflies and beetles, spiders and silverfish life-size, up close, and personal!
Describes insects that have peculiar and strange characteristics, such as the camouflage of the walking stick, and the driver ants that prefer people to picnics.
Be immersed in the fascinating world of insects as you're taken on a journey observing and learning about the world around you.
This volume teaches about what makes an insect, the parts of a caterpillar, moths, butterflies, beetles, wasps, bees, flies, crickets, grasshoppers and more!
From moths and beetles to worms and spiders, the world is crawling with fascinating bugs. The Big Book of Bugs is the first fact-filled book for children to explore the vast array of creepy-crawlies that share our Earth.
In the first pages, children learn that bugs live nearly everywhere on the planet and gain tips on how to become a young bug spotter. As the book continues, the scenic compositions on each page are dedicated to key groups of bugs, including beetles, moths, butterflies, bees, snails, crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and spiders. Some spreads approach the world of bugs thematically, such as bugs that come out at night, baby bugs, and life cycles, how bugs hide and show off, and how some bugs love to live in your home. The conversational, funny text is also full of facts that will astonish children and adults, and accompanied by Yuval Zommer’s colorful illustrations. Illustrated in color throughout.
An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested.
Features the beetle in huge, three-dimensional form. The book consists of an enormous center pop-up and two seven-page books, one bound into each cover, which are full of additional pop-ups, anatomical cutaways and photographs taken through electron microscopes.
In this beautiful nonfiction biography, a Robert F. Sibert Medal winner, the Newbery Honor–winning author Joyce Sidman introduces readers to one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.
One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly.
Richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, The Grew Who Drew Butterflies will enthrall young scientists.
Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be “born of mud” and to be “beasts of the devil.” Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them? The Girl Who Drew Butterflies answers this question.
Then, look at a few facts about caterpillars to share with your little one.
CATERPILLAR FACTS FOR KIDS
- A caterpillar is a baby butterfly or moth.
- This amazing change is called metamorphosis.
- They eat leaves all day long.
- Some caterpillars even eat flowers or fruit.
- Caterpillars go through four main stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
- Caterpillars can have as many as 16 legs.
Additionally, look at more letter crafts for preschoolers.
MORE ALPHABET LETTER CRAFTS FOR PRESCHOOLERS
- A is for Apple Craft | Apple Study
- B is for Bird Craft | Bluebird Study
- Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft – Crafty Crab Fun
- E is For Easy Eagle Study
- How to Make a Fun Paper Plate Fish | F is for Fish
- G is for Gorilla Mask | Africa Study
- H Horse Handprint | Horse Study
- Letter I Pre-K Measuring Inches in a Fun Way
- K is for Kangaroo| Australia Theme
- M is for Monkey Handprint | Monkey Study
- N Is For Nest Handprint | Nests Study
- O is for Owl | Great Horned Owl Study
- P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple
- R is for Rainbow | Rain Mobile
- How To Create A Sweet Strawberry Letter S Handprint Craft
- T is for Teeth | Dental Unit
- How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft
- W Is For Winter | Snowman Oobleck Activity
- How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak
- X is for X Ray | Crayon Resist Skeleton
Finally, look at how to make this fun paper plate caterpillar craft.
DOLLAR STORE PAPER PLATE CATERPILLAR CRAFT
First, look at this list of supplies.
- Paper Plate – Dollar Store
- Wiggle Eyes – Dollar Store
- Chenille Stem, Black and Purple – Dollar Store
- Pom Poms, Yellow – Dollar Store
- Cardstock, Bright Green
- Craft Paint – Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Purple, Pink
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks – Dollar Store
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Permanent Marker
- Sponge Dabber
- PATTERN Paper Plate Caterpillar. Grab the pattern by adding your email at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE
First, gather all supplies. Fold the paper plate in half and crease firmly.
Basecoat half of the inside of the paper plate in wedges of red, purple, yellow, blue, and orange acrylic craft paint.
Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.
STEP TWO
Cut the paper plate in half with scissors, then cut along the curve to remove the center.
This creates the caterpillar body shape.
PAPER PLATE CATERPILLAR CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL
STEP THREE
Download and print the Caterpillar Pattern, then cut out with scissors.
Trace the head once onto the bright green cardstock.
You could also use colored craft foam or craft felt for this project.
STEP FOUR
Cut out the caterpillar head pattern with scissors making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.
STEP FIVE
Attach two wiggle eyes to the caterpillar’s face with a glue gun and glue sticks.
Create cheeks by dipping a sponge dabber in pink acrylic craft paint and stamping on either side of the caterpillar’s face.
TIP: You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.
STEP SIX
Cut a purple chenille stem in half with scissors.
Bend in half, then attach a yellow pom pom to each end to create antennae.
STEP SEVEN
Cut two black chenille stems into one-inch pieces with scissors. These will become the caterpillar’s legs.
STEP EIGHT
Flip the caterpillar over on your work surface and attach the chenille stem legs along the bottom edge with a glue gun and glue sticks.
STEP NINE
Attach the antennae to the head and the head to the body with a glue gun and glue sticks.
STEP TEN
To finish, draw a smile with a black marker to create the caterpillar’s mouth.
This is a fun activity to keep the kiddos busy with coloring, counting and motor skills.
Make this super cute paper plate caterpillar kids craft in just about 30 minutes!
HOW TO GET THE FREE CATERPILLAR TEMPLATE PATTERN
Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.
1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.
2) Grab the freebie instantly.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!
